Since the Corvette’s inception in 1953, there have been rumors swirling around the brand that one day, a rear or mid-engine car may actually pop up. Understand now that the United States has only made two rear/mid engine cars; the Pontiac Fiero and the Chevrolet Corvair. However in 1964 the Corvette XP-819 prototype was developed and man-O-man would this have been an interesting car. The engine was mounted behind the rear wheels like a Porsche 911, it had urethane safety bumpers, a rack & pinon steering rack and a one piece clam shell hood. All amazingly innovative stuff for 1964. Owner Mike Yager showed off his one-off rear-engined prototype at this years Amelia Island show and to say the car was amazing would be an understatement.

What would drive an automobile manufacturer to go against convention and build a car with only three wheels? Some might say it’s cheap and more economical, but if you’re Morgan, then really, it just means that you’re British. Chris Harris recently got together two British cars; the new Morgan 3-wheeler and the very quick, Caterham Seven, and even though it’s not a direct comparison, it was wickedly fun to watch. Check it out on DRIVE.

When I was 18 a buddy of mine came over to my parents house driving his father’s Morgan Plus 8. It packed an old Buick V8 engine, was what felt like 3-inches off the ground and had a frame that was made of wood. In short, it was one of the most terrifying things I’d ever ridden in up until that point. Jay Leno recently had a buddy stop by his garage with a highly modified Morgan Plus 8 that was set up for the road course. It was loud, low and by today’s standards, like driving an ox cart. It does however look like one helluva lot of fun, so make sure to check it out after the jump.

Porsche vs Lotus, Toyota vs Morgan, BMW vs Porsche as well as a host of other great automobiles battle it out for the EVO Car of the Year 2012. Now while all of these battles are excellent the ones you really want to focus on are the Toyota GT86 vs the Morgan 3-Wheeler, and the McLaren 12c vs the Pagani Huayra. Sure the others are fun, but bang for the buck, these four automobiles should leave you coming away speechless.

On this weeks episode of Alex Roy’s “Live and Let Drive”, the man himself heads across the pond to the grounds of the Morgan Motor Company in Malvern, England. Here he reveals his deep respect for one of the UK’s oldest auto makers, talks with Mathew Humphries, lead designer at Morgan, and takes their new V-twin powered 3-wheeler for a ride.

It’s missing one wheel, is chain driven and offers absolutely no foul weather protection whatsoever. It’s also 75-years old and has a top speed of around 30 mph thanks to its Ford Flat Head 100E engine. This is a 1937 Morgan F4 three-wheeler and it is, without a doubt, one of the coolest little buggers I’ve seen in a long time. Purchased by the current owner in 2004 from Cantab Motors in Virginia and now for sale on eBay, the F4 was created by founder H.F.S. Morgan for family use. This last year production model is located in Joplin, MO and although not Interstate safe, it would make a great little runabout for around town. Click through for some further pics.

The Morgan Three Wheeler is an odd little beast of a car. It’s powered by a Harley-1Davidson engine, has no roof, and is missing one wheel. So why is it then that it looks and sounds so glorious heading down a random back country lane. My guess is because this thing was made for one purpose and one purpose only; to enjoy everything that driving a great car has to offer. Click through and prepare to listen to one minute of magic.

It’s basic frame is made of wood. It has a 8-cylinder BMW derived engine and makes a sound that is simply heavenly. It’s the new Morgan Plus 8 and it’s the closest thing you can buy to a Conestoga Wagon. The top for instance is canvas, as are the windows and they leak like a sieve. It also has a climate control system that apparently, does absolutely nothing. However it does make that glorious sound and let’s face it, that makes up for a lot. Chris Harris of Youtube’s DRIVE network recently took the new Morgan Plus 8 on a 700 mile drive and found out that while this car may not be for everyone, it suits him just fine. Well, kinda…

It’s got three wheels, a tweaked Harley engine up front and it’s made of wood. It’s the Morgan Three Wheeler and it looks to be one helluva lot of fun. The original Three Wheeler first saw the light of day way back in 1911 when Harry Frederick Stanley Morgan was looking for a way to get around. It was an oddball vehicle no doubt, but because of its unconventional design it was thus classified as a motorcycle thereby skirting the British tax on automobiles. The original cars were made up until 1952 when Morgan finally introduced a traditional four wheel car, the 4–4. It’s now 59 years later and the British car maker has now seen fit to reintroduce the Three-Wheeler with a modern V-twin engine, Mazda transmission, and a few other bells and whistles that are sure to bring nostalgia back in fashion. Fifth Gear recently took the new Morgan out for a test ride and although it’s a bit loud, it sure does look like a blast to drive.Read More…

Recently, I attended the Carlisle Import and Kit Nationals show at the Carlisle Fairgrounds in Pennsylvania. Held every May, this show features a vast array of meticulously maintained classic British, European and Japanese cars, exemplary examples of their more modern kin, as well as a beautiful collection of kit cars. As far as sheer variety in makes, models and years, hands down, this show can’t be beat.

This has become something of an annual treat for me as I can think of few better ways to spend a weekend than by gazing at a gleaming sea of jaw-droppingly stunning automobiles, many of which I guarantee you won’t find at other shows. Plus, participation is open to anyone with an import or a kit car – all you have to do is register, make your car pretty and show up. It’s a great opportunity to display your cherished ride and meet other aficionados of your favorite marques.

I used to come down to show my Saab and hang out with the Saab contingent that makes it out every year. But even though I have a Subaru now, it’s just so much fun that I continue to make the trip to Carlisle (my WRX was parked over by the lone DeLorean, if you happened to be there). Volvo, BMW and Audi clubs also traditionally have a large showing so the weekend is packed with the cars you love, cars you haven’t seen before, your friends from the forums, barbeques – it’s a good time for everyone. So, if you’re not too far out from Pennsylvania, I definitely recommend heading out there next May to check out the Carlisle Import and Kit Nationals. To tide you over, provided for your viewing pleasure are some of my favorite cars of the weekend. Enjoy!

Subscribe

Links

RideLust is a site for car enthusiasts by car enthusiasts. We feature new car reviews, videos, photos, product reviews, rants and raves and anything else we feel may be of interest to readers who loves cars, motorcycles or other wheeled transportation. A co-production of SeaWaves & Brainz. Copyright 2011-2099. Privacy Policy.